LITTLEHAMPTON BONFIRE

RISK ASSESSMENT DOCUMENT

GENERIC ASSESSMENT - FULL BONFIRE CELEBRATIONS

· 

LITTLEHAMPTON BONFIRE

Generic Risk Assessment

as agreed by

The Safety Advisory Group

Sussex Police

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service

Sussex Ambulance

Arun District Council

Littlehampton Bonfire Society

St John’s Ambulance

Reviewed January 2010

HAZARD / RISK / ASSESSMENT LEVEL
HIGH MEDIUM LOW / AGREED CONTROL MEASURES
1 / EXCEPTIONAL NUMBERS OF MEMBERS OF PUBLIC IN
LITTLEHAMPTON
TOWN AND ON BONFIRE ROUTES / CRUSH INJURIES AND ASSOCIATED INJURIES.
BURNS FROM FIREWORKS TORCHES AND BONFIRE / MEDIUM / ·  POLICED BY SUSSEX POLICE, SPECIAL
CONSTABULARY AND BONFIRE SOCIETIES
·  RESTRICTING ACCESS TO CERTAIN ROADS APPENDIX A – ROAD CLOSURE ORDER
·  MORE INFORMATION TO PUBLIC
·  INCREASED NUMBERS MARSHALLS; ENSURE A RATIO OF 1:250 MARSHALLS TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
·  BARRIERS PLACED IN STRATEGIC POSITIONS ON ROUTE BY BONFIRE SOCIETY
2 / EXCEPTIONAL NUMBERS OF PERSONS FOLLOWING BONFIRE SOCIETIES EN ROUTE / CRUSH INJURIES AND ASSOCIATED INJURIES &
BURNS FROM TORCHES / MEDIUM / ·  HAND HELD TANNOYS AND/OR PA SYSTEM
·  EACH BONFIRE SOCIETY INVITED GIVEN CODE OF PRACTICE FOR TORCH DISPOSAL, BEHAVIOUR
& GENERAL SAFETY.
·  ADVICE RE PROCESSIONS AND FIRESITES IS PUBLISHED
·  TORCHES DOUSED BY FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE AND TOWN COUNCIL A TEAM
·  DOUSED TORCHES COLLECTED BY TOWN COUNCIL A TEAM AND MARSHALLS AND STACKED IN CAGED TRAILER WITH DOUSING TANK
HAZARD / RISK / ASSESSMENT LEVEL
HIGH MEDIUM LOW / AGREED CONTROL MEASURES
3 / EXCESSIVE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION / WIDE RANGE OF INJURIES CAUSED BY INABILITY TO CONTROL CONSUMPTION
INCLUDES INJURIES FROM VIOLENCE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS. / MEDIUM / ·  POLICE ACTION OVER DRUNK/DISORDERLY BEHAVIOUR
·  OFF LICENCES TO RESTRICT SALES AS GUIDED BY POLICE
·  RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED BY BONFIRE SOCIETIES.
·  SELECTIVE INVITATION OF BONFIRE SOCIETIES
·  ADVICE ISSUED TO ALL BONFIRE SOCITIES
4 / ALCOHOL IN GLASS CONTAINERS BOTTLES/ GLASSES AND CANS THROWN IN STREET OR DISCARDED ON GROUND / CUT OR IMPACT INJURIES
TRIP HAZARD / LOW / ·  NOTICE TO LICENCED PREMISES TO RESTRICT SALE IN GLASS BOTTLE AND IN GLASS DRINKING VESSELS
·  ADVICE TO PUBLIC PRIOR TO EVENT
·  POLICE TO DEAL WITH OFFENDERS
5 / UNAUTHORISED STREET TRADERS ON PUBLIC HIGHWAY
SELLING FOOD
VENDORS AND TRADERS SELLING BALLOONS,
TRINKETS,OR OTHER SIMILAR ITEMS / ILLNESS CAUSED THROUGH INSUFFICIENT HYGIENE PRECAUTIONS
FIRE RISK
CRUSH INJURIES / MEDIUM
LOW / ·  PROSECUION OF OFFENDERS
·  LIAISON WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH OFFICERS PRIOR TO THE EVENT AND A STANDBY WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE EVENING
·  OFFENDING TRADERS WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE
·  TRADERS WILL WEAR I/D BADGES
HAZARD / RISK / ASSESSMENT LEVEL
HIGH MEDIUM LOW / AGREED CONTROL MEASURES
6 / TORCHES - MANUFACTURE / BURN INJURIES
FIRE RISK
EXPLOSION RISK / LOW / ·  PRECAUTIONS BY MAKERS OF TORCHES EVOLVED OVER EXPERIENCE
·  FIRED UP WITH FLAMMABLE LIQUID AS LATE AS POSSIBLE
·  QUALITY CONTROL ON TORCH MANUFACTURE
·  TORCH MANUFACTURING SITES PROPERLY CONTROLLED
·  TORCHES STORED CORRECTLY AND PROPERLY COVERED WITH TARPAULIN
·  FIRE EXTINGUISHERS ON LORRY
7 / LIGHTED TORCHES-CARRYING IN PROCESSION PERSONAL DANGER TO SOCIETY MEMBERS / BURN INJURIES
FIRE RISK / LOW / ·  TRAINING/BRIEFING PROVIDED BY BONFIRE SOCIETY
·  ADVICE HANDED DOWN THROUGH THE SOCIETIES
·  SOCIETY POLICING OF MEMBERS
·  THE CARRYING OF LIGHTED TORCHES IN THE PROCESSION BY CHILDREN WAS ONLY PERMITTED WHEN AUTHORISED BY A RESPONSIBLE MEMBER OF THE BONFIRE SOCIETY AND CONSIDERATION MUST BE GIVEN TO RESTRICTIONS ON AGE DEPENDING ON SIZE AND SUITABILITY
·  ST JOHN AMBULANCE IN LOCATED VARIOUS STRATEGIC POSITIONS BY SOCIETY
·  ADVICE GIVEN TO MEMBERS REGARDING FIREPROOFING
·  WATER CONTAINERS ON ROUTE AND BUCKETS TO BE PROVIDED
HAZARD / RISK / ASSESSMENT LEVEL
HIGH MEDIUM LOW / AGREEDCONTROL MEASURES
8 / LIGHTED TORCHES - CARRYING IN PUBLIC / BURNS TO MEMBERS OF SOCIETY OR PUBLIC
FIRE RISK / MEDIUM / ·  SOCIETIES TO CARRY ADEQUATE FIRST AID EQUIPMENT
·  ADVICE TO MEMBERS RE CARRYING IN PUBLIC
·  ST JOHN AMBULANCE IN STRATEGIC POSITIONS
·  MEMBERS OF PUBLIC ADVISED TO KEEP TO EDGE OF ROUTE
·  ADVICE TO PUBLIC TO KEEP PROPER CONTROL OF CHILDREN VIA P.A. SYSTEM
9 / LIGHTED TORCHES - DROPPED ON ROAD / BURNS TO MEMBERS OF SOCIETY OR MEMBERS OF PUBLIC
FIRE RISK / MEDIUM / ·  DISCARDED TORCHES COLLECTED BY SOCIETY AND PLACED IN TRAILER (SEE ITEM 2)
·  ST JOHN AMBULANCE IN VARIOUS STRATEGIC POSITIONS
·  ADVICE BY BONFIRE SOCIETY IN SAFETY LEAFLET
·  MEMBERS PICKING UP TORCHES TO WEARSUITABLE LEATHER GLOVES
·  SOCIETIES ENSURE TORCHES MADE FROM CORRECT MATERIALS IN SAFEST METHOD TO AVOID HEADS DROPPING OFF
·  WATER BOWSER AT REAR OF PROCESSION EXTINGUISHING LIGHTED TORCHES FOR COLLECTION BY THE ‘A’TEAM
HAZARD / RISK / ASSESSMENT LEVEL
HIGH MEDIUM LOW / AGREED CONTROL MEASURES
10 / TORCH - RENEWAL / BURN INJURIES
FIRE RISK / MEDIUM / ·  FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT IS AVAILABLE ON TORCH LORRY
·  CONTROL BY BONFIRE SOCIETY
·  DISCARDED & FRESH TORCHES KEPT SEPARATE DOUSING TANKS USED
·  DUMPS SUPERVISED AT ALL TIMES
·  POLICE TO BE BRIEFED ON LOCATION OF TORCH RENEWAL POINTS AND PATROLLING OFFICERS TO KEEP UNDER OBSERVATIONS
11 / TORCH LORRY – DELIBERATE IGNITION OF TORCHES / FIRE
EXPLOSION
BURNS / MEDIUM / ·  FIREPROOF TARPAULIN COVERING TORCHES AT ALL TIMES
·  EXPERIENCED TEAMS IN CONSTANT SUPERVISION OF LORRY STRATEGICALLY PARKED IN QUIET AREAS OF TOWN
·  PATROLLING OFFICERS TO PAY ATTENTION
·  LORRY TO CARRY FOAM AND WATER FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
·  POLICE TO BE BRIEFED OF TORCH LORRY POSITION
HAZARD / RISK / ASSESSMENT LEVEL
HIGH MEDIUM LOW / AGREED CONTROL MEASURES
12 / LIGHTED TORCHES - PICKED UP BY MEMBERS OF PUBLIC NOT IN
PROCESSION / BURN INJURIES
FIRE RISK / HIGH / ·  ALL TORCHES TO BE COLLECTED BY SOCIETIES AT REAR OF PROCESSION
·  FURTHER CONTROL BY MARSHALLS TO DETER MEMBERS OF PUBLIC FROM CARRYING TORCHES AND REMOVAL WHERE NECESSARY
·  TORCHES TO BE COLLECTED BY SOCIETIES ON ROUTE
·  ADVICE GIVEN TO PUBLIC BY SOCIETIES VIA P.A.
·  SYSTEM MEMBERS OF PUBLIC DISSUADED BY SOCIETY MEMBERS AND AS FAR AS POSSIBLE PREVENTED FROM CARRYING TORCHES
·  SPECIFIC ADVICE IN SAFETY LEAFLET AND IN ROGRAMME.
·  MARSHALLS TO HAVE LEAFLETS FOR DISTRIBUTION ON ROUTE
13 / SINGLE FLAMING BANNER CARRIED IN THE STREET WITH A POSSIBILITY INTO THE CROWD OR ON BUILDING / FIRE RISK
BURN INJURIES / LOW / ·  LIMITED CARRYING PERIOD
·  ONLY CARRIED BY EXPERIENCED AND TRAINED PERSONNEL
HAZARD / RISK / ASSESSMENT LEVEL
HIGH MEDIUM LOW / AGREED CONTROL MEASURES
14 / THE VARIOUS CAR PARKS THROUGHOUT LITTLEHAMPTON THAT ARE AFFECTED BY THIS EVENT ARE SUBJECT TO A SEPARATE “CAR PARK EVENT PROCEDURE” PRODUCED BY ARUN DISTRICT COUNCIL. AND ATTACHED. / SPECTATORS PARKING ON THE PROCESSIONAL ROUTE AND EFFECTING THE SAFETY OF SPECTATORS AND PARTICIPANTS
RESIDENTS LEAVING THEIR VEHICLES PARKED ON THE PRCESSIONAL ROUTE / LOW / ·  AMPLE SIGNPOSTED PARKING MADE AVAILABLE FOR ATTENDEES
·  NO WAITING CONES DEPLOYED THROUGHOUT THE ROUTE
·  ADVANCED WARNING SIGNS IN PLACE 1 WEEK PRIOR TO THE EVENT WHICH IS WELL PUBLICISED THROUGH RADIO AND NEWSPAPERS.
·  MARSHALS BRIEFED AND DEPLOYED IN HIGH VISIBILITY JACKETS TO GIVE ADVICE IN THE FORM OF SAFETY LEAFLETS TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC + DIRECTIONS FOR THE VARIOUS EVENTS.
15 / BONFIRE TO BE BUILT AT LOCAL AUTHORITY CAR PARK - NORFOLK
ROAD.
RUBBISH MAY BE DUMPED BY MEMBERS OF PUBLIC DURING BUILDING PERIOD / FIRE RISK
RISK FROM FALLING
EXPLOSION / LOW / ·  FLY TIPPING DISCOURAGED BY SOCIETIES
·  BONFIRE SOCIETY PROVIDE 24HRS VIGIIL FROM COMMENCMENT OF BUILDING UNTIL EXTINGUISHED
·  FIRE TO BE BUILT AS CLOSE TO DAY OF CELEBRATIONS
·  SIGNS TO BE PROVIDED ADJACENT TO BONFIRE SITE WARNING OF ALL DANGERS
·  SAFETY CHECKS CARRIED OUT AT ALL STAGES OF BUILDING
·  ONLY AUTHORISED BUILDERS USED
·  SIZE OF BONFIRE TO BE LIMITED TO 30 METRES DIAMETRE, 5 METRES FROM TARMAC
HAZARD / RISK / ASSESSMENT LEVEL
HIGH MEDIUM LOW / AGREED CONTROL MEASURES
16 / BONFIRES - CHILDREN PLAYING
AROUND VICINITY
OF B0NFIRE SITE / SERIOUS INJURY / MEDIUM / ·  BONFIRE SOCIETY PROVIDE 24HRS VIGIIL FROM COMMENCMENT OF BUILDING UNTIL EXTINGUISHED
·  KEEP OFF NOTICES TO BE DISPLAYED
·  ADAJACENT CHILDRENS PLAYGROUND TO BE CLOSED ALL DAY
17 / BONFIRES-PROXIMITY OF CROWD TO FIRE / RISK OF BURN INJURIES / LOW / ·  COMPLIANCE WITH H&SE DOCUMENT - WORKING TOGETHER ON FIREWORK DISPLAYS (APPENDIX B)
·  ADVICE TO MEMBERS OF PUBLIC VIA P.A. SYSTEM AND SAFETY LEAFLET
·  TAPE AND BARRIERS CORDON OFF BONFIRE
·  SITE CROWD CONTROL BY STEWARDS & POLICE
OFFICERS
·  FIRE BRIGADE (SUBJECT TO OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS ) & ST. JOHN’S AMBULANCE ON SITE
·  FIRE TEMPERATURE MONITORED BY BONFIRE SOCIETY
·  STERILE AREA AROUND BONFIRE CREATED
HAZARD / RISK / ASSESSMENT LEVEL
HIGH MEDIUM LOW / AGREED CONTROL MEASURES
18 / BONFIRES AFTER PROCESSION MOVES AWAY FROM FIRE SITE ALLOWING ACCESS TO MEMBERS OF PUBLIC / RISK OF BURN INJURIES / HIGH / ·  DOUSE FIRE AFTER CELEBRATIONS
·  LOCAL FIRE HYDRANTS ARE TESTED BY FIRE BRIGADE EVERY TWO YEARS
·  REGULAR TEMP CHECKS ON FIRE
·  BONFIRE SOCIETY IN ATTENDANCE AT SITE UNTIL FIRE IS OUT
19 / ACCESS AND EGRESS TO FIRE SITE WHERE PUBLIC GATHER TO WATCH DISPLAY / CRUSH INJURIES
BURN INJURIES
CUTS, BRUISES ETC / MEDIUM / ·  ST JOHN AMBULANCE IN ATTENDANCE
·  CHECKING MECHANISM BY DISTRICT COUNCIL ON APPLICATION TO USE LAND
·  ROAD CLOSURE ORDERS AND STEWARDS AT LOCATION (APPENDIX A)
·  ADVICE TO MEMBERS OF PUBLIC RE SITE SAFETY IN SAFTEY LEAFLET AND PA SYSTEM
HAZARD / RISK / ASSESSMENT LEVEL
HIGH MEDIUM LOW / AGREED CONTROL MEASURES
20 / FIRESITE- FIREWORKS/
BONFIRE LIT BY
ACCIDENT / BURN INJURIES / LOW / ·  INSTRUCTIONS OF FIRE WORK MANUFACTURERS ADHERED TO
·  ONLY PROFESSIONAL PYROTECHNIC TECHNICIANS AND PERSONS UNDER SUPERVISION IN THE FIREWORK AREA
·  SEPARATE SENIOR PERSON ONLY (SAFETY OFFICERS) IN CONTROL OF BONFIRE SITE AND FIREWORKS SITE
·  SITE OF LIGHTING OF FIREWORKS TO BE AGREED BY PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIAN TAKING WEATHER CONDITIONS INTO ACCOUNT
·  ADEQUATE FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE
·  FULL FIREWORK TEAM ARE CONVERSANT WITH SAFETY PROCEDURES OPERATORS SOCIETY INSTRUCTIONS AND WORK IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR OWN SEPARATE RISK ASSESSMENT
21 / FIREWORKS - MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE IN THE AREA OF FIREWORK ACTIVATION ON FIRESITE AND ARE IN VULNERABLE
POSITION WITH MISFIRES / BURN INJURIES
CRUSH INJURIES IN CASE OF PANIC / LOW / ·  CONTROLLED FIREWORK ACTIVATION DISPLAY RULES FOLLOWED
·  CHECKING MECHANISM BY DISTRICT COUNCIL ON APPLICATION TO USE LAND
·  RECOMMENDED SAFETY DISTANCES AND CODES OF PRACTICE ADHERED TO
·  MARSHALLS & POLICE POSITIONED BETWEEN FIREWORK DISPLAY AND CROWD
HAZARD / RISK / ASSESSMENT LEVEL
HIGH MEDIUM LOW / AGREED CONTROL MEASURES
22 / FIREWORKS - FAILURE TO DISCHARGE / FIRE RISK
BURN INJURIES IN PARTICULAR EYES
EXPLOSION INJURIES / LOW / ·  SEARCH OF SITE AT FIRST LIGHT TO COLLECT ANY FIREWORKS MISSED
·  COLLECTION OF MISFIRES BEFORE LEAVING SITE AND RELEVANT SAFETY PROCEDURES REGARDING DOUSING
·  SAFE SYSTEM OF WORK SET UP FOR DEALING WITH MISFIRES AND COLLECTION
23 / FIREWORKS - DISCHARGED IN STREET/CROWD
AT FIRE SITE BY
PUBLIC / BURN RISK
DAMAGE TO EARS
FIRE RISK / MEDIUM / ·  CERTIFIED FIRSTAIDERS TO BE IDENTIFIED
·  PRIOR ADVICE TO PUBLIC
·  POLICE ACTION AND EVIDENCE GATHERING WITH A VIEW TO PROSECUTION
·  POLICE/ St JOHNS AMBULANCE / FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE AVAILABLE, SUBJECT TO OPERATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS, THROUGHOUT ROUTE AND SITE
·  INFORMATION IN SAFETY LEAFLET AND PROGRAMME
HAZARD / RISK / ASSESSMENT LEVEL
HIGH MEDIUM LOW / AGREED CONTROL MEASURES
24 / END OF CELEBRATIONS - PUBLIC BREACHING BONFIRE SITE EXCLUSION ZONE / BURN INJURIES
FIRE RISK / MEDIUM / ·  MORE MARSHALLS SO AS TO RE-INFORCE CORDON AROUND BONFIRE SITE AFTER PROCESSION
·  SOME RESTRICTION OF SIZE OF FIRE
·  FIRE DOUSING ARRANGED BY SOCIETY WITH FIRE SERVICE
·  FIRST AID AND FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE
·  POLICE AND MARSHALLS IN ATTENDANCE
·  AS BONFIRE DIMINSHES BARRIERS FORMING EXCLUSION ZONE REDUCED IN SIZE
·  INCREASE FIRE SUPERVISON BY MARSHALS WHO ARE IN CONSTANT ATTENDANCE UNTIL FIRE IS OUT INCREASE FIRE SUPERVISON BY MARSHALS WHO ARE IN CONSTANT ATTENDANCE UNTIL FIRE IS OUT
·  AS BONFIRE DIMINSHES BARRIERS FORMING EXCLUSION ZONE REDUCED IN SIZE
25 / IN THE EVENT OF
UNFORSEEN
EMERGENCY / GENERAL RISK DEPENDANT ON CIRCUMSTANCES / LOW / ·  DIVERSION OF PROCESSION VIA POLICE CONTROL
·  BONFIRE SOCIETY, ST. JOHNS AMBULANCE HAVE TWO WAY RADIOS AND MOBIILE PHONES USED FOR COMMUNICATION
·  FCP – CONTROL ROOM AT UNITED SERVICES CLUB
·  RVP – LITTLEHAMPTON POLICE STATION
HAZARD / RISK / ASSESSMENT LEVEL
HIGH MEDIUM LOW / AGREED CONTROL MEASURES
26 / MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ON THE PROCESSION ROUTE IN EXCESSIVE NUMBERS SPECIFICALLY -
EAST STREET/
CHURCH STREET / CRUSH INJURIES/BURNS
& ACCIDENTS INVOLVING PROCESSION
AT BLIND JUNCTION / MEDIUM / ·  LIMIT NUMBERS TO PROBLEM AREAS AS IDENTIFIED
·  LOUDSPEAKER AND TANNOY SYSTEMS TO ADVISE PUBLIC AND CONTROL CROWDS
·  PUBLISH ADVICE
·  ADDITIONAL POLICE AND STEWARDS IN AREA OF MAIN PROBLEMS LINING ROUTE IN FRONT OF CROWD NOT BEHIND CROWD
·  CROWD CONTROL BYPOLICE AND STEWARDS
·  BARRIERS ON ALL FOUR CORNERS OF JUNCTION
·  EXTRA STEWARDS DEPLOYED AT LOCATION
ADVICE GIVEN IN SAFETY LEAFLET
HAZARD / RISK / ASSESSMENT LEVEL
HIGH MEDIUM LOW / AGREED CONTROL MEASURES
27 / VEHICLES NOT IN
PROCESSION ENTERING
LITTLEHAMPTON TOWN ONTO ROUTES CAUSING DANGER TO PROCESSION MEMBERS AND MEMBERS OF
PUBLIC / PERSONS BEING RUN OVER / LOW / ·  RECONSIDER GREATER ENFORCEMENT OF ROAD CLOSURE PROCEDURES INCLUDING PERSONS MOVING FROM ONE AREA TO ANOTHER WITHIN AREA.
·  PUBLISH ADVICE TO MEMBERS OF PUBLIC
·  ROAD CLOSURE ORDERS IN PLACE FROM EARLY EVENING
·  SEE APPENDIX A ROAD CLOSURE ORDER
·  GAPS BETWEEN DISPLAYS IN PROCESSION KEPT TO A MAXIMUM OF ONE CAR LENGTH TO PREVENT INFILTRATION BY PUBLIC AND TRAFFIC
28 / VEHICLES ALREADY IN TOWN DURING DAY WISHING TO LEAVE AT END OF WORKING DAY AND AFTER PROCESSION STARTED / PERSONS BEING RUN OVER / LOW / ·  MORE PUBLICITY TO ADVISE PUBLIC OF ROAD CLOSURE ORDER AND RAMIFICATIONS GIVING ADVICE TO LEAVE EARLY